Caramelized Air Fryer Pineapple (Printable version)

Sweet, caramelized pineapple rings with cinnamon and lime zest, air-fried to golden perfection.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 1 medium ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch rings

02 - 2 tbsp brown sugar

03 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon

04 - Zest of 1 lime

05 - Pinch of chili powder (optional)

06 - 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)

07 - Chopped fresh mint (optional)

01 - Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.

02 - Pat the pineapple slices dry with a paper towel.

03 - In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, lime zest, and chili powder if using.

04 - Dip each pineapple ring in the sugar mixture, ensuring both sides are coated.

05 - Arrange the pineapple slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary for even cooking.

06 - Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until caramelized and golden.

07 - Serve warm, drizzled with honey or maple syrup, and finish with chopped mint if desired.

01 -

The air fryer creates those gorgeous caramelized edges without heating up your entire kitchen or standing over a stovetop skillet
That hint of chili powder wakes up the sweetness in ways you didnt expect tropical fruit could taste

02 -

Crowding the air fryer basket is the fastest way to end up with steamed instead of caramelized pineapple so cook in batches if needed
Letting the pineapple sit for just 2 minutes after air frying helps those sugars set and creates an even better texture

03 -

Cut your pineapple rings consistently at 1/2 inch thick because thinner pieces can dry out while thicker ones stay raw in the middle
Room temperature pineapple caramelizes more evenly so take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking